Control of quantum coherence and dynamics in noisy, disordered networks

The presence of quantum coherence can influence the dynamical properties of many-body systems; for example the propagation of an exciton in a disordered network can be enhanced through constructive interference or suppressed through destructive interference. We discuss how the theory of quantum entanglement can help to understand coherence properties of such systems and how it opens up new perspectives to control quantum coherence.

With techniques from optimal control theory we strive to identify situations in which quantum coherence can withstand environmentally induced decoherence effects. Doing so, we try to gain insight in the mechanisms that permit the existence of quantum coherence in strongly environment-coupled systems, such as light harvesting complexes.